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Young driver charged for his actions in Huntsville parking lot
Young driver charged for his actions in Huntsville parking lot

CTV News

time9 hours ago

  • CTV News

Young driver charged for his actions in Huntsville parking lot

Provincial police say a young driver learned the hard way about the 'consequences of being cool' after officers charged him with stunt driving in a Muskoka parking lot. Police say officers observed a vehicle spinning, drifting and doing burnouts in a King William Street parking lot in Huntsville on Monday night. Officers conducted a traffic stop and subsequently charged the 18-year-old driver, who was also served several other provincial offense notices for various other infractions, police say. Additionally, due to the stunt driving charge, the young driver was handed a 30-day licence suspension and his vehicle was impounded for 14 days. He has a future court date set to answer to the stunt driving charge. If convicted, he could face six demerit points and a licence suspension of up to three years.

Muskoka is a popular Canada Day and summer vacation spot for celebrities. Which stars have spent time in the Canadian region?
Muskoka is a popular Canada Day and summer vacation spot for celebrities. Which stars have spent time in the Canadian region?

Yahoo

timea day ago

  • Entertainment
  • Yahoo

Muskoka is a popular Canada Day and summer vacation spot for celebrities. Which stars have spent time in the Canadian region?

Canada Day is a time to celebrate the early days of summer, with warm weather, swimming time and outdoor barbecues effectively marking the start of a new season. As we head into the hotter months of the year, what better way to cool off than to spend time in the Muskoka region of Ontario? For many celebrities, vacationing in the Ontario region is a no brainer. Between Canadian stars like Justin Bieber and Shania Twain, to A-listers including Cindy Crawford and David and Victoria Beckham, it's an area that's often frequented by some of the most recognizable names in entertainment. The Canadian gem has won over the hearts of other stars looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Below are some of the many big names who have enjoyed trips to the Muskoka region over the years. Last October, the 59-year-old country-pop icon celebrated the Canadian Thanksgiving long weekend in the area. The "Man! I Feel Like A Woman!" hitmaker took to Instagram on Oct. 14, 2024, to share a photo of herself bundled up on a dock while sitting in a Muskoka chair. "There isn't anywhere more beautiful than Canada in the fall, and there isn't a better feeling than being warm and cozy in the crisp, cold air," she wrote. "Thankful for friends and family and this fabulous view. Heaven!" Canadian fans (and fellow celebrities) were quick to echo Twain's love of Canada. "Happy Canadian Thanksgiving!" commented fellow Canadian songstress Avril Lavigne. "It's like God dumped bright colours on all the trees. Growing up in northern Ontario, it was my favourite season," wrote a fan. While Twain spent her younger years in Timmins, Ont., she now spends some of her time a bit further south, in Ontario's Muskoka cottage country. Twain reportedly has a home in Lake of Bays. Last August, Cindy Crawford and husband Rande Gerber bid farewell to another summer spent in the Ontario cottage region. Late that month, the 59-year-old supermodel shared a carousel of photos on Instagram, including snapshots of herself and loved ones enjoying the Muskoka region. Crawford showed off various selfies of her summer getaway, as well as pictures of herself paddleboarding, posing on her speedboat and eating delicious meals. She also included more photos of her 63-year-old husband, along with their two kids, 25-year-old Presley Gerber and 23-year-old Kaia Gerber. They posted an intimate sneak peek inside their Lake Muskoka cottage, nicknamed "Gerber Point Lodge." "Thanks for another great summer," Crawford captioned her post, alongside a sun emoji. "Until next year." It's not the first time Crawford has reflected on spending a summer in Ontario's cottage country. In summer 2022, she made a few Instagram posts of her time at their cabin, including a video of herself steering a boat and a carousel of photos of her husband at their lakeside property. Last summer, Victoria Beckham shared another series of photos from her and her family's summer spent in the Muskoka area. On Aug. 27, 2024, she posted a carousel of snapshots featuring loved ones, as well as a group photo featuring Crawford and Gerber. "Special family moments in Muskoka," she wrote with a Canadian flag emoji. "Kisses, #SalterFamily, I love you all so much!!" The 51-year-old fashion designer also tagged her 50-year-old husband David, as well as kids Romeo, Cruz and Harper. The previous summer, Victoria shared another carousel of photos from a family trip to the Muskoka area. On Aug. 7, 2023, she posted a variety of candid lake-side pictures of herself and loved ones. The post featured a picture of herself waterskiing, along with snapshots of the family enjoying the lake life. She also shared a photo of her and her husband posing with Canadian businessman Jamie Salter and his wife, Sheryl, on the water. "The most perfect few days in Muskoka with beautiful friends," Victoria captioned that post. In the comments section, people expressed their love for the English couple and welcomed them to Canada. "Come back soon! Hope you enjoyed your stay in the Muskokas!!" one person wrote, while someone else wrote, "Welcome to our playground." Victoria Beckham also took to social media last summer to share a video featuring husband David, son Cruz and Elvis star Austin Butler lifting a fallen tree trunk above their heads. Butler, 33, likely spent time with the Beckhams while visiting the Muskoka region with then-girlfriend Kaia Gerber, Cindy Crawford's daughter. "Did you ever think you would see Elvis and Beckham lifting a tree? Helping the community in Muskoka. I'm impressed, gentleman!" Victoria captioned her clip on Aug. 6, 2023. In the comments, fans praised Butler and the Beckhams for embracing "the Canadian way." "How very Canadian of them," a fan wrote, while another added, "they are being so helpful like friendly Canadians." While Hailey and Justin Bieber don't currently own property in Muskoka, they've rented places on Lake Rosseau and Old Woman Island on Lake Muskoka in the past, according to Hello! magazine. The couple, who welcomed their first baby together last summer, reportedly kick back in the region often. Muskoka might be one of the couple's favourite Canadian destinations, but an area closer to Toronto appeared to steal their hearts back in 2018. That year, according to iDesignArch, Justin, 31, and Hailey, 28, purchased a $5-million waterfront estate on Puslinch Lake near Cambridge, Ont. In July 2023, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings star Simu Liu took to Instagram with a carousel of snaps from a vacation in Muskoka. In the sun-soaked photos from Goshulak Island, the 35-year-old actor spent time on the lake boating, jet-skiing and wakeboarding with his fiancée, Allison Hsu. In his now-deleted post, the Canadian star included a caption that was nothing short of a love letter to Goshulak Island, revealing it has been his "safe haven for over a decade." The 36-year-old Barbie actor added he "lived a lot of life and seen many things in those years, but nothing quite compares to the majesty of the lake." According to Forbes, actors Goldie Hawn, 79, and Kurt Russell, 74, own property on Lake Rosseau, north of Lake Muskoka. It's where the couple have spent summer vacations with Hawn's 45-year-old daughter, Kate Hudson. In a red carpet interview with etalk at the 2023 Oscars, Hudson recalled her family's go-to pit-stop when driving up to their Northern retreat. "You got to go to Tim Hortons, and I usually just get coffee," she told Canadian TV host Tyrone Edwards. Canadian comedian Martin Short is a big fan of Muskoka. The Only Murders in the Building star owns a cottage on Lake Rosseau and has even honoured his summer getaways in Ontario by creating a collector's coin. In 2013, the 75-year-old actor teamed up with artist Tony Bianco to create a $3 coin for the Royal Canadian Mint. The collector's item features Short's summer home, a sailboat and two Adirondack chairs. "As much as I adore the excitement of cities, it's rural Canada that has always had my heart," the Hamilton, Ont.-born star said in a press release that year. "When I'm there, I feel like I'm in heaven. More than anything, that's what Canada means to me." In August 2022, David Beckham shared a photo on Instagram posing with Canadian billionaire Jamie Salter, 63, Ted actor Mark Wahlberg, 54, and former Toronto Maple Leafs player Tie Domi, 55. In the picture, the four men flashed bright smiles for the camera and put their arms around each other. "Great few days in Muskoka," Beckham shared in the caption, alongside a Canadian flag emoji. "With family and friends. Wow, what a place. And yes, we laughed a lot and drank a little. The best." In July 2022, 90210 star Shenae Grimes-Beech shared a set of photos from her family holiday in Muskoka on her Instagram Stories. "Found a strip of pop-up shops made out of pastel-painted shipping containers in the middle of the woods. Muskoka, you're great," she captioned the first snap. The 35-year-old actress doubled down on her love for the region by sharing an additional photo of herself jet skiing, paired with the caption, "I repeat... Muskoka, you're great," alongside a Canadian flag emoji. According to Forbes, Forrest Gump actor Tom Hanks has planted roots on the coastline of Lake Muskoka. The 68-year-old star owns a stunning lakeside cottage full of bay and picture windows, according to Bavarian Window Works. In the past, Hanks has shown his love for Canadians and the country's beauty. He replied to a letter from a fan in Toronto in 2016 who made a bet to see who could get a bet from a famous actor the fastest. "Toronto, huh? D— fine town," he wrote in his response, enclosed with a photo of himself. "Growing fast, all those condo towers down on the lake." The Real Housewives of Beverley Hills actress Lisa Rinna and her Clash of the Titans-starring husband, Harry Hamlin, have been taking getaways to the Muskoka area for years. They've reportedly spent many summers on Governors Island in Lake Joseph, where Hamlin's family has had a cottage for more than a century. In August 2023, Rinna took to Instagram with a carousel of photos from her summer in the region that year. "Some lake life 2023," the 61-year-old star captioned that post, alongside a Canadian flag emoji. Fans back then shared their appreciation for the post in the comments section. "Have the same view! It's the best," wrote New York-based stylist Leslie Fremar. "You rock," a fan added. Summer McIntosh might be an Olympic-winning swimmer, but that doesn't mean she can't spend a bit of vacation time on Lake Muskoka. Following the Paris Olympics last year, the 18-year-old athlete took off to her family's cottage in the area with "the girls." The Toronto-born swimmer took to Instagram last August to share a carousel of photos with her friends enjoying the lake-side relaxation time. In the photos, the women posed on a dock wearing bikinis. "I think her favourite place is our cottage up north, she's just so excited to go there," McIntosh's mom, Jill, said last summer, according to the National Post. "She loves outdoors. She loves waterskiing. She doesn't do any swimming up there — she might do a cannon ball off the dock and that's it.

Where to watch fireworks this Canada Day across Simcoe and Muskoka
Where to watch fireworks this Canada Day across Simcoe and Muskoka

CTV News

time2 days ago

  • CTV News

Where to watch fireworks this Canada Day across Simcoe and Muskoka

Fireworks explode in the sky on Canada Day, July 1, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang Looking to catch a fireworks display this Canada Day? Several places across Simcoe County and Muskoka are lighting up the night sky with pride. Whether you're enjoying the cottage, city life, a summer resort, or simply relaxing at home, here are a few places you may want to check out. Barrie – Kempenfelt Bay Barrie will host a fireworks show over Kempenfelt Bay at 10 p.m. Residents and visitors are encouraged to bring a blanket or lawn chair and find a spot along the waterfront to take in the colourful display. Orillia – Couchiching Beach Park Fireworks will blast into the sky around 9:45 p.m. Celebrate Canada's birthday with fireworks at Couchiching Beach Park. The show will cap off a full day of festivities in the heart of Orillia. Penetanguishene – Harbourfront As dusk approaches, Penetanguishene's fireworks are set to light up the night over the harbour. Grab a seat near the waterfront and enjoy the view. Wasaga Beach – Beach Area 2 Fireworks will be launched from Millennium Point at 9 p.m., offering views from Harbourview Park Amphitheatre. Blue Mountain – Over the Mountain The night sky will be lit at 10:15 p.m. Blue Mountain is hosting a full day of Canada Day programming, and a fireworks show that will light up the slopes and village in the nighttime. Huntsville – Hunters Bay Starting at 10 p.m., close out the celebrations in Huntsville with fireworks over Hunters Bay.

Simcoe County ‘be prepared for severe weather,' Environment Canada says
Simcoe County ‘be prepared for severe weather,' Environment Canada says

CTV News

time5 days ago

  • Climate
  • CTV News

Simcoe County ‘be prepared for severe weather,' Environment Canada says

After days of sweltering heat, parts of Ontario are bracing for a shift in weather. Just before 3 p.m. Friday, Environment Canada issued a severe thunderstorm watch for areas across Simcoe County and Muskoka. The national weather agency says conditions are favourable for the development of dangerous thunderstorms that may be capable of producing damaging wind gusts and heavy rain. Noting that there may be a risk of a tornado late this afternoon and into the evening. 'Be prepared for severe weather. If threatening weather approaches, take cover in a basement or interior room. If outside, protect yourself from flying debris and hail. When thunder roars, go indoors. Lightning kills and injures Canadians every year,' Environment Canada stated. Strong winds could down trees, damage buildings, and overturn vehicles. Residents are reminded to continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. With sunny skies on the horizon, the weekend seems promising. Saturday will see cloudy skies with a 40 per cent chance of morning showers. Mainly cloudy into the evening with fog patches developing through the night time. If you are looking for the perfect day to enjoy the sun, skies will be clear on Sunday with a high of 27C, according to Environment Canada.

Canada Day pride surges as more people chose to celebrate, travel local: stats reveal
Canada Day pride surges as more people chose to celebrate, travel local: stats reveal

CTV News

time5 days ago

  • Business
  • CTV News

Canada Day pride surges as more people chose to celebrate, travel local: stats reveal

As Canada Day approaches, new data from Petro-Canada's Live by the Leaf index: Canada's first ongoing tracker of national pride reveals that patriotic celebrations this year are taking on a deeper meaning. Nearly half of Canadians, 48 per cent, say Canada Day holds more meaning for them in 2025 and that sentiment is influencing how they travel, spend, and celebrate. According to the index, 82 per cent of Canadians are choosing to travel within the country this year, that is up from 75 per cent from last year. Canada Day Barrie 2022 Barrie residents packed Dunlop Street for Canada Day celebrations on Fri., July 1, 2022 (Christian D'Avino/CTV News) In Muskoka, that trend started showing as early as May. Local resorts began reporting a surge in bookings with Resorts of Ontario stating, 'Business is definitely up for our owner-operators and right across the province of Ontario,' said Kerri King, executive director of Resorts of Ontario. 'I think what we're finding is that people really do want to stay and support local.' Last month, at Muskoka Bay Resort staff said they were ahead of last year's pace with an increase in early bookings. 'One of the big things we track is our 'Stay-and-Play' package. It's our most popular package,' said Laura Kiley, director of marketing at Muskoka Bay Resort. 'This year we have double the bookings for the summer as we had this time last year already.' Muskoka Bay Resort Muskoka Bay Resort in Muskoka, Ont. (Supplied) Trips to the states on the other hand, have nearly halved, dropping from 15 per cent to just eight per cent, a 44 per cent decrease in a single year. Meanwhile, 81 per cent of Canadians plan to celebrate Canada Day in their own communities, with top activities including relaxing at home, watching fireworks, and attending local events. In Barrie, the city is preparing for a full day of free, family-friendly events. With the Barrie mayor sharing his pride, 'Canada Day is a special occasion for us in Barrie to come together and celebrate the values that make our city and country strong, such as hard work, freedom, and community,' said Mayor Alex Nuttall. If you too, are looking to stay at home and enjoy the festivities across the region, Centennial Park will be full of traction. It will host food trucks, live entertainment, and a performance by the Ultimutts Animal Actors Show, along with the Moonwalk Entertainment Family Zone on Canada Day. Median Place Canada Day 2022 Barrie residents packed Dunlop Street for Canada Day celebrations on Fri., July 1, 2022 (Christian D'Avino/CTV News) The evening will wrap up with a fireworks display. According to the Live by the Leaf index, 62 per cent of Canadians feel more confident in Canada's ability to thrive despite U.S. tariff threats, while only 14 per cent feel less confident. That renewed national pride is translating into buying and selling habits right here in our community. Flag manufacturers in Barrie reported a spike in orders back in March typically a slower quarter, as Canadians swarmed to purchase local products. Flags Unlimited Canada flags are being produced at Flags Unlimited in Barrie, Ont. (CTV News/Christian D'Avino) 'It's been astronomical. It's hard to keep up,' said Brian Naish, co-owner of Flags Unlimited, to CTV News back in March. At Sugar City Cupcakes and Cakes, owner Kerry Hayward had rebranded her entire cupcake lineup to showcase her Canadian pride. Previously named after cities around the world, all 32 cupcake flavours now carry Canadian names, a bold move in response to tariff concerns. To top it all of, 96 per cent of Canadians say at least some new behaviours adopted in 2025 have stuck with them. Now, 47 per cent continue to prioritize buying Canadian-made goods.

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